Favourite Companion

ArchangelIsraphel

Mirri

SaffronCitrusflower wrote: »

Where is the poll option for no companion? I prefer to play without a companion and it annoys me to see mobs of players at bosses when only half of them are actual players and the rest are companions. This is an MMO. People should be grouping with other real life players if they need help.

Although this is an MMORPG, the option to group with other players may not always be available. Companions provide much needed assistance at world bosses during times when the zone is at a low population, or if you play the game outside of prime time hours on your server.

Companions also provide assistance and accessibility to players who need help but who wish to remain independent. Players with physical disabilities or medical issues have been using them as a way to help them get things done without constantly asking other players for help. I know several physically disabled players who are thankful that they can use Companions, because they do not like feeling as though they must rely on other players constantly, even if others are willing to help them.

I'm sorry that the playstyle others choose annoys you, but the truth is that there is plenty of content in this game which must be done socially. Sometimes people just want to kick back and go on an adventure with their Companions, without being controlled by the desires of other people and what they think they "should" or shouldn't be doing.

OsUfi

Mirri

Mirri. I enjoyed her companion quests, and out of all them, she grew on me the most. Then Isobele, then Ember, and Bastian in last. Nice character, but was constantly upset at me. Raising his rapport is painful as I get so many frowny faces and cant knock it out in 14 days of dailies like the rest of them.

Roztlin45

Ember

Ember is a great companion. She is down to earth and fun loving.

Treselegant

Bastion

LanteanPegasus wrote: »

Edit: I just realized how many people complain about Bastian's comments when killing harmless critters, and how annoying they were. Now I wonder, is it my class (Dragonknight)/weapon (1H+Shield) combo, or my playstyle... But I have him with me every since Blackwood released, and I can't remember hearing that comment more than a dozen times in all that time, at most. And I usually play one to several hours on most days. (And yes, my companion comment frequency setting is set to maximum, so he's quite talkative.)

I also have his comments at max frequency and rarely hear critter comments. I play mostly as Sorc and critters get caught in my aoes all the time and it's actually pretty rare to get a reaction. It's the same as the food related comments - I rarely hear them despite doing crafting dailies. As much as I believe they are filler content and they're not really necessary there is definitely an element of exaggeration by some players.

He's a kind and thoughtful character with a voice I'd happily listen to reading the dictionary. I think I'm not alone in wishing that the devs would give him the attention he deserves by giving him more and better written dialogue.

Khenarthi

Ember

Treselegant wrote: »

show previous quotes

LanteanPegasus wrote: »

Edit: I just realized how many people complain about Bastian's comments when killing harmless critters, and how annoying they were. Now I wonder, is it my class (Dragonknight)/weapon (1H+Shield) combo, or my playstyle... But I have him with me every since Blackwood released, and I can't remember hearing that comment more than a dozen times in all that time, at most. And I usually play one to several hours on most days. (And yes, my companion comment frequency setting is set to maximum, so he's quite talkative.)

I also have his comments at max frequency and rarely hear critter comments. I play mostly as Sorc and critters get caught in my aoes all the time and it's actually pretty rare to get a reaction. It's the same as the food related comments - I rarely hear them despite doing crafting dailies. As much as I believe they are filler content and they're not really necessary there is definitely an element of exaggeration by some players.

He's a kind and thoughtful character with a voice I'd happily listen to reading the dictionary. I think I'm not alone in wishing that the devs would give him the attention he deserves by giving him more and better written dialogue.

He does have a soothing voice, and he is kind and thoughtful. Though not my favourite, he is a pleasant companion (I just do not enjoy his poetic comments about cities and people, but that is on me, not him).

NotaDaedraWorshipper

Bastion

Bastian.

He's so far the only companion that doesn't say something that annoys me. On the contrary his voice is pleasant to my ears, he's kind and caring without being naive, oblivious or being a pacifist. He even seem to be more enthuastic about fighting than I would be!
His only issues is that he's clearly being treated as lesser than the other companions by ZOS, has been given some weird meme lines, and his whole history with Emeric isn't done much with. He (and Mirri) should be brought up to be on par with the newer companions in content.

One of the main issues I've with Isobel and Ember is that both seems to be not that well written, inconsistent between their quests, commentary dialogue and actions, as well as very "trying to please players".
On top of that, I'm not much of a fan when it comes to the constant praising they both do of my character, telling how amazing I am. Ember is worse by being childish as well. "Magicky" and laughing to combat one moment then sounds small and scared asking if it's over.

Mirri is in an odd spot. She's better done in my opinion to the High Isle ones but her personality and I do not get along. I find it snippy and passively aggresive.

I'm hoping the next two will be written well with interesting characteristics.

TheImperfect

Ember

I like them all but Ember is definitely my favorite.

Kirawolfe

Bastion

Treselegant wrote: »

I also have his comments at max frequency and rarely hear critter comments. I play mostly as Sorc and critters get caught in my aoes all the time and it's actually pretty rare to get a reaction. It's the same as the food related comments - I rarely hear them despite doing crafting dailies. As much as I believe they are filler content and they're not really necessary there is definitely an element of exaggeration by some players.

He's a kind and thoughtful character with a voice I'd happily listen to reading the dictionary. I think I'm not alone in wishing that the devs would give him the attention he deserves by giving him more and better written dialogue.

Agreed completely. His lines still make me giggle:

"What do dragons need with gold anyway? They don't buy anything!"

LunaFlora

Ember

Ember is the only one that i can keep with me when stealing and killing.
i Love isobel, but less than Ember because of her not approving of illegal activities.

mirri is too weird about the tribunal and has weird goblin hate.

Bastian, not Bastion, is alright but I don't love him

Treselegant

Bastion

Kirawolfe wrote: »

show previous quotes

Treselegant wrote: »

I also have his comments at max frequency and rarely hear critter comments. I play mostly as Sorc and critters get caught in my aoes all the time and it's actually pretty rare to get a reaction. It's the same as the food related comments - I rarely hear them despite doing crafting dailies. As much as I believe they are filler content and they're not really necessary there is definitely an element of exaggeration by some players.

He's a kind and thoughtful character with a voice I'd happily listen to reading the dictionary. I think I'm not alone in wishing that the devs would give him the attention he deserves by giving him more and better written dialogue.

Agreed completely. His lines still make me giggle:

"What do dragons need with gold anyway? They don't buy anything!"

Absolutely one of my favourites He's not a stupid character by any means but that line radiates himbo energy.

Inaya1

I don't like this poll because there is no "no one" option. I remember the days when mercenary summoning scrolls were sold in Cyrodiil, which were cut from the game. It is what it is, only slightly improved.

These companions are completely useless and terrible for beginners, medium skilled players, and even more so for high-end players. The only reason to level them up is the extra passive loot bonus you get from having a fully upgraded companion.

1) First, they can't hide their faces. No way. I hate Bastian, I don't want to look at him. I just want a knight in armor that looks like canned food.
2) "Relationships" are created for show. They are generally useless. Companions chat only a couple of similar phrases and start to get terribly annoying. They are only needed to get things/rewards. Making a negative relationship is useless - you will not get something unique in this scenario. And so there is no flirting, even in Skyrim it was! Why?
3) Boring, uninteresting quests. So boring that I made them solely for achievement and nothing more.
4) The companions combat system is limited by its uselessness. It is useless for a beginner (because to get the desired result, you need to make a build similar to the build of the player. But how can a beginner put together an expensive, good build? - IN NO WAY!). It is useless for midgame players (same build problems, skill inefficiency) and high end players (well, no comment at all. It's tantamount to a non-combat pet).
5) Companions cannot change, hairstyles and etc/ style elements.
6) All companions are kind weaklings. There is no evil one who would constantly call you names if you do not help him, curse the enemy with a rich vocabulary and do not support your "dark deeds".

6.1 For example, a necromancer companion when killing an NPC with a woe blade "Great. More material to create cursed creatures. You love life as much as I do, right? Hahaha"
6.2 If you don't heal/shield a companion when they're low on health: "We'll lose if you don't stop being weak, wake up and help me!"
6.3 If you stand within range of the templar's abilities: "Disgusting, you see this? I hate this!"
6.4 If you kill a templar npc: "Ha ha, it would be hilarious to make a soulless doll out of you and watch you suffer!"
6.5 If you eat dishes with tomatoes: (1st time) - "What is this, a tomato? What a disgusting thing, I'm going to throw up now! Don't eat this in front of me anymore! (2nd time)" If you eat in front of me one more time this, I will desecrate the grave of your ancestors. You know very well that I hate tomatoes!" (3rd time) - You made me angry!! (Necromancer knocking player on the ground, -player fall).

Ingel_Riday

Ember

@Inaya1 I don't know... I've never found them useless.

It can get lonely wandering the world stabbing / shooting things, and I do occasionally think about grouping. But... I've never liked being beholden to other people's whims. Sometimes I just want to look at a neat vista for a while and enjoy the music, and I would never feel comfortable doing that in a group. "Hey, you guys mind me inconveniencing you for three minute so I can stare at this Summerset waterfall?"

Companions give me a buddy to wander with and they're NPCs, so they don't care if I'm occasionally dull as dirt. :-P Feels much less lonely.

Also, sure... they're not veteran or trial viable, but would you really want that? If they had that much utility, having one would become mandatory. The game would probably have to be balanced around you having a companion out whenever possible, which would be annoying for people that like going solo.

I think the fine balancing act ESO is doing here is making them useful enough that they aren't complete dead weight, but not so useful that people feel compelled to have them. Personally, I've been happy with it. I have no complaints. They supplement my own healing and/or draw some damage away from me, and it's useful enough that I'm grateful but not so useful that I feel dependent.

FeedbackOnly

Bastion

Bastian is a honest do gooder. A typical hero type. Not to mention he likes books.

rpa

Ember

Got Isobel to 20 yesterday. Did S. Elsweyr zone quest with her and was ready to kick her to see never again bin when the quest required entering outlaws but she managed to not whine about stepping on negative rappart trigger and fought fine. Still hoping for a tank who does not need to be dismissed when picking up a thieves trove.

Jusey1

Mirri

I like Mirri & Ember so far in all honesty.

Inaya1

Ingel_Riday wrote: »

@Inaya1 I don't know... I've never found them useless.

It can get lonely wandering the world stabbing / shooting things, and I do occasionally think about grouping. But... I've never liked being beholden to other people's whims. Sometimes I just want to look at a neat vista for a while and enjoy the music, and I would never feel comfortable doing that in a group. "Hey, you guys mind me inconveniencing you for three minute so I can stare at this Summerset waterfall?"

Companions give me a buddy to wander with and they're NPCs, so they don't care if I'm occasionally dull as dirt. :-P Feels much less lonely.

Also, sure... they're not veteran or trial viable, but would you really want that? If they had that much utility, having one would become mandatory. The game would probably have to be balanced around you having a companion out whenever possible, which would be annoying for people that like going solo.

I think the fine balancing act ESO is doing here is making them useful enough that they aren't complete dead weight, but not so useful that people feel compelled to have them. Personally, I've been happy with it. I have no complaints. They supplement my own healing and/or draw some damage away from me, and it's useful enough that I'm grateful but not so useful that I feel dependent.

I am just a player who uses all activities of the game. Starting with RP, ending with the most difficult triple achievements in trials. Therefore, I speak from my point of view, their usefulness and, in general, interactivity with them.

You cover a very small circle of activity, this may suit you. But this does not suit the rest. As you are satisfied with the fact that there is very little interaction with them. I also like to look around the world of Tamriel as you, but I don't feel the difference if I have a companion or not. Then why is it needed at all?

1) They don't have to be super-suitable for trials/dungeons. They should be like a variation of help for the player. At the moment they do not fulfill their function and I will explain why.

So far, from a practical point of view.
1.1 To achieve the desired result of help from a companion, you need to assemble a build for him, which, in principle, does not differ much from the player’s build. In addition, other traits and types of abilities make it even worse. A beginner who needs help will not be able to appreciate the value of a companion. For a companion will die from any sneeze, turning into an extra bag behind your back. As a result, the player will not be able to solve the problem with the passage of the overland / normal version of the dungeons
1.2 For a midgame player, it is useless, because, again, a good build is very expensive to assemble, but it makes no sense anymore. Because overland is great to go solo. And the player himself understands that the other player will give more benefit. Its only use is as a passive extra loot (garbage).
1.3 For the high-end player, the companion turns into a "player" half-companion. He is not able to adequately tank the DLC world boss in a strong build (He will just die in AOE. But, in fact, in this role he is not really completely bad. But, need more survivability for this or auto-ressurection after 1 min i think), deal damage (Here, everything is completely bad, given his survivability. This is especially bad if you are a main tank. Do I need to kill the boss for hours? It's bad role for them) and heal (All enemy NPCs immediately run to beat him and he dies again. HOWEVER, in veteran trials (craglorn or even in DLS, as an example) in a strong build, they can partly replace the healer (what, sorry? Why did it happen? XD)

The best solution to the problem is to make it more affordable to purchase armor with the right traits. Or make an NPC who will sell what you need for completing certain achievements (This way it will be possible to solve the problem with pumping and spending a lot of money). And in general it will be interesting for beginners.

And now from an aesthetic point of view.
1. There is no interactivity. All dialogues are reduced to a couple of phrases.
2. You can’t chat with a companion on a certain topic. (As an idea - take a bold step in favor of using .... A little limited in communication with the developers (by topics) Neural network!. Can you imagine how cool this will be?). Okay, these are just my dreams. In general, it would have been possible to write many times more dialogues, but for some reason they didn’t.
3. No flirting. He was in Skyrim, not here. Why? What is the problem?
4. Interactivity of animations. A very limited set for a companion. It would be fun if there was a 0.01% chance that when you run your companion might trip and fall and swear at the nearest rock. Or approach and interact with objects using animations (for example, if there is a box nearby, with a 20% chance to approach it when you are relatively idle and start playing an emotion as if it is looking for something there)
4. A lot of censorship. Maybe ZOS is afraid or Microsoft is doing it, but because of this, there is no individuality for each character. I can not laugh because of their jokes, stupid humor, ridiculous situations, empathize with injuries and other things. It's more like dialogue for young children, to be honest.

Companion and should not be a replacement for the player. The player must always be much better. But it should be useful so that the player needs help at the right time. (Well, what if he does not like to farm something in a group?). And also to give something interesting with interactivity, given their nature. And it so happens that at the moment in particular the balance they are most useful in combat practice for high-end players than for beginners and just players who love quests (where they are absolutely useless from a practical and interactive point of view).

Araneae6537

Mirri

Mirri is my favorite and perfect for my crafter main — love books, bugs, and exploring history!

Bastian, I overall like a lot and don’t mind most negative comments (which I mostly avoid but some of my characters won’t pass up thieves troves), but being yelled at, “Stop that! That’s cruel and wasteful!” when a beetle ends up collateral in a battle. After all with been through Bastian, you’re going to accuse me of wanton cruelty? 🥺

The others I need to adventure with more and level, and I’m looking forward to meeting the new companions.

(Edited for long ramble)

TaSheen

Oy, I just can't deal with the "sidekick" thing. If I could have one of my own alts..... that would be different.....

Panomania

Isobel

All four of my comps are 20. Isobel is set as a tank, and for some reason on my magplar she not only holds agro and survives better than any other companion, but in this mode she adds more dps than any of the others, regardless of build.

Isobel really seems to add more to my magplars style of play.

Liguar

Mirri

Izzy is my tank and I really enjoy her earnest and upbeat vibes, but Mirri is still my favourite for general out-and-aboutiness in the world.

I love Izzy's questline and her parents being so supportive was good! Her frequent expressions of her religion are fine, she doesn't seem to try to push them on the player character and I think companions having a belief that doesn't exactly align with yours but you get along anyway is like a real life friendship. But ultimately I found that she's a bit too agreeable, and I think that my vampire (and previously my werewolf) might be a bit too challenging to her concepts of goodness and knightly behaviour.

Mirri though, is about perfect. She loves books and wine and she calls me f'lah. She is a fine companion for my vampire librarian-adventurer. The torchbug thing is a bit annoying because they tend to congregate around other things I want to interact with, but that is a game problem and not a Mirri one. She could be a little more understanding though...

Daimonion82

Mirri

1. Mirri - love her personality.
2. Isobel - close second. And second only because I can't put both of them ex aequo.
3. Ember - well... Most people like her, but she's not really my type.
4. Every unknown char that will come in the future.
5. Bastian - he's just unbearable, narcisstic ("I'm such a good person"), wannabe-poet ("I love cities, magic and love are both dangerous"). No. Just no. Period

Kendaric

Bastion

Bastian is my favorite, followed by Mirri and Isobel.

I don't care about Ember as I don't like her looks. I really wish we could either hide or change the hair on companions, also we need more variety in male companions. Basically, two companions for every race/class combination.

N00BxV1

Ember

Ember is the best.

- She has a cute and playful voice.
- She says I'm fun and her favorite.
- She encourages me to do naughty things.
- She cheers and gets excited when I do naughty things.

Treselegant

Bastion

Daimonion82 wrote: »

1. Mirri - love her personality.
2. Isobel - close second. And second only because I can't put both of them ex aequo.
3. Ember - well... Most people like her, but she's not really my type.
4. Every unknown char that will come in the future.
5. Bastian - he's just unbearable, narcisstic ("I'm such a good person"), wannabe-poet ("I love cities, magic and love are both dangerous"). No. Just no. Period

I will never understand this - wanting to help people is narcisstic? He never says "I'm a good person" in his dialogue, he's genuine in wanting to make peoples lives better.

I actually love his line: "The good we do today will likely be forgotten - but lets do it anyway" - because that's what a job helping people is actually like. You don't do it for the praise, you do it because you genuinely want to help. Not everyone is a cynic.

AnduinTryggva

Ember

I like Ember. She is funny and someone who takes you as you are.

Isabel is a close competitor.

Bastian is quite ok, I like his optimism and positive view.

I am not getting really warm with Mirri althoug I try hard. I'll level her up and then probably send her on a long holiday...

Actually when I think about it I wholeheartedly dislike Mirri giving me positive feedback on killing goblins.

evan302

Mirri

Mirri because I like her character. She loves reading, appreciates a good drink and doesn't go in for effusive praise.

Bastion is a close second. I expected to dislike him, but found him good company and an all-round good guy. Plus he likes reading!

Ember I haven't played enough to judge. I'm just hoping she's as good as the forum has led me to believe.

Isobel was a disappointment. She got nicknamed 'Goody two-shoes' within a couple of days and I'm probably going to level her last. I can't stand her. At her best she's flat and uninspiring and her obsession with sweets is really getting on my nerves.
I guess coming from FFXIV may have contributed, but I really hate npcs insisting I'm the best thing ever. Give me Mirri's snark over Isobel going on about how great I am any day, especially when I know that admiration is dependent on me being good and lawful.

Kirawolfe

Bastion

It's really interesting to hear all of these perspectives. Enjoyable thread, thanks!

Kesstryl

Mine were Fennorian and Count Verandis when I fought along side them, and Fennorian was my healer and Verandis used some gnarly wizard visuals. Aside from that, Bastian tanks for my dps and healer alts, and Miri is dps for my tanks. Haven't tried the new ones yet even though I have them. Limited play time with carpal tunnel flare ups, just haven't made the time to unlock them yet. I'm sure I'll use them once I do.

Supreme_Atromancer

Isobel

They're all really well done, imv. The more recent ones a little better perhaps- they obviously took on board some of the feedback regarding the earlier ones.

Isobel's my favourite because her character is compatible with that of my main char's. She also reminds me of Lydia from Skyrim in a weird way. She's a devout follower of Stendarr and hates Daedra, which is a bit weird considering my sorc has a lot of dealings with Oblivion. I just imagine Izzy can see only the good side of my sorc.

Ember was also great because she was just such an interesting character.

I didn't bother trying to optimise them- it seems pretty pointless to me. So I tried to make them sort of what they wanted to be. Ember's a kind of roguey-mage, Bastian is a Battlemage, with heavy armour and a staff, Mirri just a bow-wielding rogue, and Izzy is a crusading knight kind of thing. Though I slotted her a taunt and am trying to make her as beefy as possible.

My only real complaint is that Bastian's concept seemed really confused. He was a Breton, but he was an Imperial. I mean, I can see that you could just say that's a possibility, but narratively, it didn't really add any dimension to his story, and it feels like it was changed last minute by marketing because an Imperial chapter needed to have an Imperial. Just my take, though.

cyclonus11

Isobel

1. Isobel: I like her voice acting the most. Shame I can't take her with me into the outlaw refuge, but it's just a -1 hit so not a big deal. She's my fave because she tanks well.

2. Mirri: I like her comments. Don't like the negative hit when you accidentally grab a bug. WHY does the negative hit happen even when you don't actually collect from it? Very annoying. Also can't use the Blade of Woe around her, even on baddies.

3. Ember: I can take her with me anywhere, except when I need to murder innocents. She also hates it when you get caught stealing, so that's a negative. And she's the WORST when fishing. A negative hit for each cast? Really? Also, I don't particularly care for her fireplace comments. Too depressing/sad. Her other comments are cool, though. And she's great for ranged support.

4. Bastian: I find I have the most apathy with this one. His commentary is average/bland, and he doesn't like illegal stuff. I can at least use the Blade of Woe on bad guys, though.